Opinion

THE FACT OF THE MATTER PAUL HOPKINS With deregulation of our licensing laws about to come into force — allowing some pubs and clubs to serve alcohol until the sun comes up, and the getting of a pub licence a lot easier — the fact is we are still a nation of heavy drinkers. The …

BY NED EGAN Part 16 “When we get over the Dungratton, Babs, we’ll have a bit of shelter going through Bilzies Wood. Then, to get to the Long Road Stile, there’s only the Oak Field to cross, after we leave the cover of the trees. That Stile is ‘the big one,’ Babs – I didn’t …

FURTHERMORE  By Gerry Moran This week, a few jokes to tone up the facial muscles and have them in fine fettle for the Cat Laughs Comedy Festival which is almost upon us (June 2-4) Hopefully they’ll give you a laugh or at least bring a smile to your face. A smile, by the way, has …

BY JOHN FITZGERALD PART ONE A building that witnessed the most traumatic events in Irish history has become a cherished heritage asset. Callan Workhouse is one of the few such structures left standing in Ireland. A monument to the horrors of famine, parts of it have been restored to serve as the local County Council …

BY JOHN ELLIS, FINANCIAL ADVISOR Do you save? Are you religiously setting aside a certain amount each week/month toward a financial goal? People save money for a variety of reasons. Emergencies, such as a medical or car repairs. Buying a house, starting a business, or retirement; for education, travel, new furniture or appliances, or to …

AS I SEE IT MARIANNE HERON Our four-legged friends have been dogging the headlines of late: a sign of how the status of canines has changed. No longer confined to a kennel in the yard, dogs have wagged their way into our homes and our hearts and the passing of a pet can be akin …

BY CLAIR WHITTY Are you feeling stressed, tired, or under pressure to get daily tasks completed? Some of the most popular supplements I talk about to help alleviate stress include Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, Magnesium and B Complex. As you know there are many brands of these available, it can be difficult to know which one to …

KATHLEEN FUNCHION Sinn Fein TD for Kilkenny Carlow Sinn Féin TD for Carlow Kilkenny, Kathleen Funchion, has said that the government is not doing enough to help struggling workers and families overwhelmed by the costs of energy across Carlow and Kilkenny. Teachta Funchion said: “Households in Carlow and Kilkenny are still struggling to keep their …

THE FACT OF THE MATTER PAUL HOPKINS Back in the late Nineties a new paper began publishing in, I think, Sacramento in California. Its stated mission was to report “only good news”. Happy stories, stories that would bring a smile to your face. Make you laugh. The weekly paper never reached its mandated sales nor …

BY NED EGAN Part 15 Well, as described many times, it was a bitter frigid night out in the bleak Five Acre. And now, for Mikey Connolly, it had turned into Siberia. Be that as it may, he’d have to try something. “Babsie, I’ll be going soon. You girls must have a plan, and I …